These days opening bids of two in the major suits are frequently played as
a pre-emptive bid. If you decide to do this then you need to modify your open
bids at the two level to have a bid for opening bids that are 8 playing tricks

It is suggested that an opening bid of 2
= a game force hand(alerted); 2 = 8
playing tricks in any suit (alerted); 2
/ = a weak opening in the major (announced).

(i)What are the requirements for a weak two?

1.A 6-card major suit , no weaker than Q10xxxx, and 6-10 pts. Preferably two
honours in the suit especially when vulnerable.

2. No other 4 card major and preferably 6-4-2-1, 6-4-3-0, or 6-3-3-1 shapes.
A hand that does not satisfy the rule of 20.

(ii) How do I respond to a weak two by partner?

1. With less than an opening hand, pass, or make a pre-emptive raise(s) at
favourable vulnerabilty

2. With a void in opener's suit, and seeking a better spot to play, bid another
6 card or longer suit. Non-forcing

3. With stronger opening hands use either the rule of 26 to decide whether
to bid game in the major; or the enquiry bid of 2NT to determine openers strength.
A direct 3NT to play is rarely an option.

The rule of Twenty -six

Add together your pts+length of your holding in the major, and subtract the
result from 26. This gives the number of pts that your partner must hold to
bid game. A worked example: You hold 3 cards in ª
s and 15 pts. You have the equivalent of 15 +3=18 values if partner opens with
2, so partner needs 8pts to raise your
bid of 3 to 4
. If you held a shortage in the other major, then a direct bid to 4would
be better.

The 2NT enquiry (Ogust convention)

This asks opener define his hand in terms of suit strength and pts. The opener
responds:

3 with weak suit, low pts

3 with good suit, low pts

3 with weak suit, high pts

3with good suit, high pts

A good suit is defined as holding two of top three honours

You can play splinters at the 4 level as a slam suggestion but this would be
rare

(iii) Defending against an opponent’s weak two opening.

Double for take out, which usually implies a holding in the other major suit.
A bid in a new suit is at least 5 cards and is non forcing. 2/3NT is to play.